UK Indymedia - UK Social Struggles Newswire Archive

Spirit of Humanity sets sail for Gaza.

12-01-2009 21:53

UPDATE - 3 hours into the journey, the boat appears to be turning back to Cyprus. According to the Jerusalem Post, "Karin Pally told The Associated Press that a generator blew three hours into the 24-hour trip, forcing the 66-foot (20-meter), Greek-flagged vessel to return to port in Larnaca.

The Free Gaza Movement's new boat the Spirit of Humanity, left Larnaca Port at 3pm (local time) this afternoon - bound for Gaza port, where it is due to arrive at 11am tomorrow. The boat has been acquired at short notice, to stand in for the Dignity, which was rammed three times and fired on in international waters on 29th December,2008. On board the Spirit are several tons of medical supplies, and a number of doctors, surgeons, parliamentarians, journalists and activists, all intent on showing solidarity with the people of Gaza in the face of the crippling siege that has been visited upon them for the past eighteen months.

Full article | 1 addition | 31 comments

Gaza Demo - a cop opines

12-01-2009 20:46

I've been reading comments on the site for a few days and while you don't expect to find a lot of love for the Metropolitan Police on here the lack of objectivity is starting to border on the myopic. To suggest that the violence on Saturday was in some way planned or instigated by the police is to ignore both the facts and the truth. Quite sad really on a site that proclaims it's honesty and integrity as it's raison d'etra

I was there on Saturday and my colleagues and I were coming under attack for hours before the baton charges and mounted deployments that everyone seems to be solely focusing on. Police did not deploy in "riot" kit but normal everyday beat helmets and jackets. We sustained a constant barrage of shoes, sticks, placards, road cones, coins, the occasional firework and paint for several hours prior to kit being deployed.
Your own pictures posted on the site show this.

Full article | 5 comments

A letter to a cousin

12-01-2009 19:02

Having just finished seven years as an undergraduate and PhD degree at Oxford University, where I was conspicuously in the minority, ethnically, I felt the urge to share the groundings for my motivation and attitude which has helped me along the way to my academic success.

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The Detailed, Photographic Killing of Unarmed People by Police Worlldwide

12-01-2009 18:25

Oscar Grant's murder: This is not an isolated incident! Hammick in 2002, Kendra James in 2003, James Perez, James Philip Chasse, Jr. all unarmed and killed by Portland Police. Diallo, Sean Bell, Ousmane Zongo, Jonny Gammage, Alexandros Grigoropoulos and Now Oscar Grant, all unarmed and killed by Police. Within hours of Oscar Grant's shooting, Robbie Tolan, another unarmed man, was also shot by Police. Let the world know about! We will not allow a police state!

Full article | 2 comments

Lawful Rebellion - Actions Not Words

12-01-2009 17:53

time to do and not just say

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All hands to the pumps for Helen Laolu-Balogun and children

12-01-2009 15:55

Family 'Snatched for third time, removal 10:30 tomorrow morning' Tuesday 13th January

This is an urgent request for your consideration of action necessary in order to avoid a serious breach of human rights to a family well loved by many in Plymouth.

Helen Laolu-Balogun and her six children from Nigeria are currently detained in Yarl's Wood IRC, with removal directions set for tomorrow Tuesday 13th January on British Airways Flight BA 075 from Heathrow Airport at 10:30hrs to Lagos.

Full article | 18 comments

Stop Government Sound Lelel Restrictions in Live Entertainment Venues

12-01-2009 13:47

THE NEW LABOUR GOVERNMENT WANTS TO STOP US ALL HAVING A GOOD TIME AS IF THINGS WERE NOT BAD ENOUGH

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Sekwanele! [Enough is Enough!]: Social Movement struggles for Land and Housing i

12-01-2009 09:17

Toussaint Losier gives a useful overview of the militant grassroots movements that are rejecting party politics in South Africa is favour of a strategy of building a network of communes and collectives.

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Friends of Deare Hamanajam

12-01-2009 07:19

Deare Hamanajam a Liverpool/Iraqi Kurd (8 years residency in the city) is currently detained in Colnbrook IRC and has been served with *open ended removal directions and told that he will be removed by a 'specially chartered flight' to KRG/Iraq.

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Attempted murder of Oaxacan activist

12-01-2009 00:01

In the latest of a string of intimidations and attacks, an attempt is made on the life of the libertarian activist and former APPO Councillor RUBÉN VALENCIA NUÑEZ.

Full article | 8 comments

Stop the biggest neo-nazi march in Europe!(Dresden)

11-01-2009 21:13

Come to Dresden on 14 February 2009

On 14 February 2009, right-wing extremists from all over Europe will once again gather for their annual 'mourning march' in Dresden (D) - UNITED and the local platform Geh Denken calls for your help to stop the largest meeting of the European right-wing extremist movement!

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Two Hundred March Against Wirral Cuts

11-01-2009 21:07

As hundreds of thousands in London, Edinburgh and around the world demonstrated against Israel's genocidal attacks on Gaza, a much smaller protest took place in Wallasey, Merseyside. While it would be inappropriate to draw many parallels between the two, it can be said the struggle for life and freedom in Palestine and for decent public services in this country have one thing in common: they represent squares in the global chess match between the profit system and the rest of humanity.

Full article | 1 addition | 4 comments

Smoke bombs and scuffles behind Israeli Embassy

11-01-2009 13:25

Yesterday on the Palestinian solidarity demonstration the crowd stopped outside the entrance to Kensington Palace Gardens on Bayswater Road at about 3pm. It seemed to be an attempt to get to the Israeli Embassy from behind - and where there was a very thin police presence. Below is a photo report of what happened. More information relating to the protest, it's repercussions and other photos will be put on the Last Hours website (

http://www.lasthours.org.uk) during the coming week.

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Rockwool factory destroying beautiful area in Croatia

11-01-2009 12:22

Rock wool, whilst sold as an eco-friendly product, is a dirty thing to make. In the USA, Erin Brokovich is investigating claims that a now-closed Rockwool Group factory is responsible for the high rate of cancer locally. Meanwhile, the residents of the municipality of Pican, Croatia are protesting against a new factory which was built illegally. The factory regularly floods the valley with thick smoke. Read their press release below:

Full article | 2 additions | 1 comment

UK arms supplies to Israel

10-01-2009 22:56

Guardian article 9th Jan: "An Israeli-owned British company has been drawn into the political controversy over arms sales to Israel prompted by the assault on Gaza"

Full article | 2 additions | 2 comments

Gaza solidarity demo, Israeli embassy 10.01.09

10-01-2009 22:25

Saturday 10th January saw another evening of demonstrations in solidarity with the people of Gaza outside the Israeli embassy, High Street Kensington, London.
This time the police came out in very large numbers, with shields etc, and there were some pretty violent scenes... yet again.

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BBC1 ITN Unison -Contact UNISON to support workers affected by Super Virus Lab

10-01-2009 16:21

Workers at Camden Council services have not been told of the plans to build a deadly "Super Virus Lab" on their doorstep. there are plans to build a deadly virus containment facility across the raod from Camden Town Hall. The lab will test on animals. Members of Stop Camden Animal Lab went into the Camden Council Library and offices to hear that staff did not even KNOW about the lab & protests.

Full article | 2 additions | 6 comments

A flying start to the new year for anti-aviation campaigners

10-01-2009 01:31

Campaigners against aviation expansion are having a hectic start to the new year. Half of those arrested for blockading Stansted airport last year have now been sentenced and all are under threat of being sued for damages. Meanwhile, airport operator BAA have managed to get the Plane Stupid website taken down and are preparing for the Climate Rush action on monday the 12th by threatening MPs who have said they will attend the events at Heathrow and Manchester airport. To cap it all, the government is set to announce the go-ahead for Heathrows runway three this coming week.

Full article | 1 comment

SHAC ACTION ALERT : No Let Up For Animal Abusers

09-01-2009 21:08

This alert focuses on a HLS shareholder, Vanguard Group. This company hold
nearly one hundred thousands blood stained shares in Huntingdon Life Sciences,
who trade under the name, LSR (Life Science Research).

Full article | 1 addition

From Oakland to Greece-fuck the police!

09-01-2009 20:58

Todays protest in Athens-Greece.